European leaders present cautious optimism following White Home talks with Zelenskyy and Trump

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By&nbsp Emma De Ruiter &nbspwith&nbsp AP

Revealed on 19/08/2025 - 7:36 GMT+2 • Up to date 8:28

As they emerged from talks within the White Home, European leaders expressed guarded optimism that US President Donald Trump may very well be discovering momentum in his quest to fulfil his marketing campaign promise of ending Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The leaders of France, Germany, Finland, Italy and the UK, in addition to European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO chief Mark Rutte confirmed a united entrance within the talks with Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer mentioned after the assembly that there was “actual progress” and a “actual sense of unity.”

European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen mentioned all of the events had been working collectively on “an enduring and sturdy peace.”

Reward blended with warning Whereas they heaped reward on Trump for committing to safety ensures for Ukraine, in addition they instructed forging a short lived ceasefire shouldn't be off the desk.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz mentioned “the trail is open now” to halting the combating however subsequent steps are “extra sophisticated.”

“I don’t wish to conceal the truth that I wasn’t positive it might go this manner — it may have gone in a different way,” he mentioned. “However my expectations weren't simply met, they had been exceeded.”

“Let’s attempt to put strain on Russia,” Merz mentioned, including that he want to see a ceasefire come collectively.

Trump was noncommittal, saying, “If we will do the ceasefire, nice,” however instructed it was removed from a dealbreaker.

Following his assembly with Putin on Friday, Trump dropped his demand for a right away ceasefire and mentioned he would look to safe a remaining peace settlement between Russia and Ukraine — a sudden shift to a place favoured by Putin.

Help for trilateral assembly The “most necessary” final result of the assembly was the “US dedication to work with us on offering safety ensures” to Ukraine, French President Emmanuel Macron mentioned.

Macron instructed reporters that the individuals of Monday’s talks are keen to arrange a bilateral assembly between Putin and Zelenskyy “within the coming days” and the trilateral assembly together with Trump “by two to 3 weeks.”

He added that he has “the best doubt” about Putin’s will to cease the battle.

Merz mentioned that such a gathering “should, like all conferences, be well-prepared; we are going to do that with President Zelenskyy.” He mentioned he doesn’t at the moment know what the assembly may produce.

He careworn that the Europeans and Individuals might want to talk about who participates within the safety ensures and to what extent. “It’s fully clear that the entire of Europe ought to take part,” he mentioned.

“This isn't simply in regards to the territory of Ukraine,” he added. “It’s in regards to the political order of Europe.”

Requested about the potential for German peacekeeping troops, he mentioned it was too early to provide a remaining reply.

NATO Secretary Basic Mark Rutte mentioned membership shouldn't be on the desk, however the US and European leaders are discussing “Article 5 form of safety ensures for Ukraine.”

Article 5 of the NATO treaty says an assault on one member nation is an assault on all members, the guts of the transatlantic defence pact.

Particulars round US involvement in Ukraine “will likely be mentioned over the approaching days,” which is able to give Zelenskyy the readability he must determine whether or not Ukrainians can stay secure following a peace deal.